Head coach Vahid Halilhodzic also called up Ryad Mahrez to Desert Foxes for the first time after he helped Leicester City -- also nicknamed the Foxes -- earn promotion to the English Premier League.

The early word is that the Algerian squad will be cut down to 23 players on June 1 following a tune-up match against Armenia. The FIFA deadline is June 2.

The Algerians have a tough road ahead of them at the World Cup against the likes of Belgium, Russia and Korea Republic in Group H. Should they advance, they would play the top two teams from Group G, which features the US men's national team.